By Bernheim
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed listing the eastern hellbender as an endangered species due to its extreme vulnerability to habitat loss, degradation, water pollution, heavy sedimentation, and disease. With populations declining substantially across the United States, protecting this unique species is imperative.
The eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) is the largest aquatic salamander in the eastern United States. This remarkable amphibian can grow up to 29 inches long and is found in cool, clean streams across several states. Broadly speaking, its range extends along the Appalachian Mountains, west to parts of Illinois and Missouri, with New York marking its northernmost point and Mississippi its southernmost. This historically misunderstood animal spends much of its life under large rocks at the bottoms of clear, fast-moving streams, where oxygen-rich waters sustain its survival.

Although almost fully aquatic, hellbenders are not strong swimmers. They rely on their padded toes to grip rocks and walk along streambeds. Hellbenders hatch from eggs and develop gills in their larval stage. Upon reaching maturity, they gain functional lungs, but these are used for buoyancy rather than breathing. Instead, they absorb oxygen through lateral skin folds, making clean, oxygen-rich water essential for their survival and reproduction.
During their lifespan of up to 25–30 years, eastern hellbenders rarely leave their home ranges, which provide sites for hiding, hunting, and breeding. They prefer large, irregularly shaped rocks for shelter and nesting. Their diet consists of fish, invertebrates, and small amphibians. Using their heightened sense of smell and ability to detect vibrations, they navigate upstream to find food. During breeding season, males prepare brood sites under rocks or logs. When females arrive, they lay up to 200 eggs, which the male fertilizes. The male fans his paddle-shaped tail to oxygenate the eggs and guards them from predators until they hatch.
Eastern hellbenders are considered an indicator species, meaning their presence signifies high-quality habitats. Streams that support hellbenders also sustain a rich diversity of plants, fish, invertebrates, mammals, and birds that are losing habitat elsewhere. Managing and restoring these habitats according to Hellbender standards helps promote biodiversity and build resilient ecosystems.
Currently, the eastern hellbender has not been documented within Bernheim’s boundaries. However, Wilson Creek, which flows through Bernheim, connects to the Rolling Fork River, where hellbenders have been released and documented. Although this connectivity offers potential, the species’ specific habitat requirements make it unlikely they will migrate into Bernheim’s streams without assistance.
Bernheim’s waterways provide vital habitats for numerous species, including at least 15 types of salamanders. These habitats range from wetlands and forests to glades and caves. Clean water is crucial not only for amphibians—often the first to feel the effects of habitat degradation and climate change—but also for humans. Bernheim’s Natural Areas team is dedicated to protecting water resources and restoring vital habitats. Efforts like stream restorations, wetland installations, promoting beaver activity, and removing human-made dams are critical for enhancing Bernheim’s waterways. The Harrison Fork restoration project represents the next step in creating hellbender-friendly habitats, with hopes that these extraordinary creatures might one day call Bernheim home.
By Natural Areas Specialists, Cody Ferguson and Patrick Likins